DIVISION I GIRLS : Lynwood Beats Buena in Division I Final, 44-33

Elana Adams, a senior guard, made three three-point field goals during the first 2 1/2 minutes of the third quarter as Lynwood defeated Buena, 44-33, in the Southern Regional Division I final Saturday at the Sports Arena.

Lynwood (30-0) will make its first appearance in the state tournament final against San Francisco Balboa (17-14) Saturday in the Oakland Coliseum. Balboa beat Berkeley, 70-61.

Lynwood held an 18-15 lead over Buena at halftime and pulled away after Adams opened the second half with her three-point baskets.

The Knights led by as many as 13 points and Buena (25-4) never got closer than seven points.

“When they hit those three (three-point baskets), I think that put it out of reach, or at least made it more difficult for us to get back in the game,” Buena Coach Joe Vaughan said.

Lynwood used a pressure defense that forced Buena to commit 33 turnovers. The Knights also had 21 steals.

“Defense is the key,” said Timicha Kirby, Lynwood’s junior forward. “Once you play defense, everything else falls in line.”

Adams led Lynwood with 16 points. Kirby scored 10 points and had eight steals.

Michelle Giordano, a junior forward, led Buena with 11 points. Eboni Conley, a freshman guard, contributed 10 points for Buena despite playing with an injured right elbow.

For Lynwood, which has two seniors and three juniors in its starting lineup, the victory eased the pain of last year’s loss in the Southern Regional final to Peninsula.

It also provided a pleasant ending to a season that started on a controversial note. A coaching violation resulted in the preseason resignation of Coach Maurice Roberson. Ellis Barfield, the junior varsity coach, was promoted in November, one week after practice had begun.

Barfield, 28, appeared a little stunned after Saturday’s victory.

“It feels good,” he said. “but I won’t realize it until a little bit later because I want to stay focused all the way through.”